1Assistant Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Medical Sciences, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Nepal
2Clinical Physiotherapist, Hospital for Advanced Medicine and Surgery, Kathmandu, Nepal
*Correspondence address: Ms. Inosha Bimali Assistant Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences (KUSMS), PO BOX: 11008, Dhulikhel, Nepal Phone: 9851142483, E-mail: inoshabimali@gmail.com
Online published on 12 January, 2018.
Aging is an inevitable process. With aging, there is decline in overall function of the body. Lower extremity function (LEF) is an important predictor of physical functioning and many other medical illness and disability. In Nepal, physical functioning in elderly has rarely been assessed. Early rehabilitation can minimize age related decline in function.
The objective of this study was to assess lower extremity function level of the elderly. Another goal of this study was to evaluate the association between a) gender and lower extremity function and b) occupation and lower extremity function of the community dwelling elderly.
Hundred elderly of age 60 years and above were included to assess lower extremity function using Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). This test comprises of three components balance, gait speed and strength.
The mean age of the participants was 67.6 years (SD= 4.4). The findings demonstrated that 63% of elderly had high lower extremity function score whereas 25% and 12% of elderly had moderate and low lower extremity function score respectively. No significant association of gender and occupation with lower extremity function was found.
The functional capacity of majority of elderly in Dhulikhel was satisfactory. However, this could be further improved by engagement of elderly in exercise programme thereby reducing progressive disability with aging.
Aging, Elderly, Lower extremity function, Nepal, Short physical performance battery
